Vienna superintendent joins statewide discussion on college and career pathways

FOX23 News at 9 p.m.

SPRINGFIELD, Ill., (KBSI) — Vienna Superintendent Joshua Stafford joined state education leaders at the Illinois Association of School Administrators’ 62nd annual conference to discuss ways to strengthen college and career pathways for high school students.

The session, “The Purpose Pivot: Engaging Students Through College and Career Pathways,” focused on improving student engagement and expanding access to education and training after high school.

Stafford presented examples from Vienna showing how schools can incorporate technical skills, labor market information and postsecondary credentials into high school coursework.

Other presenters included Erica Thieman, director of career and technical education at the Illinois State Board of Education, and Jason Klein, superintendent at Fenton.

Thieman discussed state career and technical education initiatives, including a reported 9.8% statewide increase in dual credit enrollment and strategies involving the Accelerated Placement Act.

Klein discussed local district efforts and statewide work by Education Systems. Before joining Fenton, he served as senior director of learning partnerships at Northern Illinois University, where he worked with the P20 Network on education policy and implementation.

Kyle Westbrook, executive director of the Education Systems Center at Northern Illinois University, provided research for the presentation.

“We are fortunate in Illinois to have a robust team of individuals that are dedicated to student success no matter their zip code,” Stafford said. “Being able to work with, learn from, and present with Erica, Jason, and Kyle has only proven that quality collaboration creates opportunities for all students.”